MONTICELLO, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State Women's Basketball closed out the season series with Arkansas Monticello Sunday afternoon. The Blossoms got the win over the Lady Rangers in a defensive battle as Arkansas Monticello closed out the 57-52 victory.
Lady Rangers fall to 13-13 on the season with a 10-10 conference record.
Kira Bass led the team with a double-double scoring 11 points while bringing down 15 rebounds while adding 2 blocks. Carly Craig led the team in scoring with 14 points in the game with a team high four assists. Camile Thomas was the third Lady Ranger in double figures with 10 points while adding two steals and two blocks.
The Lady Rangers opened the scoring with a Camille Thomas offensive layup put back for the early 2-0 lead on the opening possession. Bailey Harris of Arkansas Monticello answered with a three pointer to take their first lead of the game at 3-2. This started a 7-0 scoring run for the Blossoms. It was a Craig three pointer that ended the Weevils run as the score was 7-5. Lily Mahy hit back to back three pointers to give the Lady Rangers an 11-10 lead over the Blossoms. Arkansas Monticello closed the quarter on a 5-0 run in the final 30 seconds of the quarter after a Blakemore three pointer as Arkansas Monticello led 17-14 after the first quarter.
Camille Thomas opened the scoring in the second quarter to draw the Rangers back within one point. The teams traded baskets as Lily Mahy hit their eighth point of the half which would be the Lady Ranger high for the first half as the team trailed 19-18. Arkansas Monticello's lead was five at 27-22 before Summya Adigun started the Rangers run of 6-0 as Craig hit the jump shot to push the Lady Rangers back in front, scoring four straight after back to back misses from Arkansas Monticello. Camile Thomas and Kira Bass combined for the final four points of the half as they pushed the Lady Rangers back in front at 32-31 in the final closing seconds of the half as the Lady Rangers led by one at halftime.
The third quarter started with a Camille Thomas offensive put back layup for the 34-31 lead over the Blossoms. Northwestern's defense held Arkansas Monticello scoreless in the quarter until 7:33 left in the third as the Lady Rangers had opened a five point lead before Arkansas Monticello ended the run. Jaida Shipp and Bass combined for the next six points for the Lady Rangers, followed by a Payton Jones three pointer off Bass' eighth rebound for the 43-38 lead. Northwestern held Arkansas Monticello scoreless for the final five minutes of the quarter and without a field goal for the final 5:40. Bass hit the final shot of the quarter sending the Lady Rangers into the fourth with a seven point lead.
Arkansas Monticello struck first in the fourth quarter with a layup for the two points but drawing the foul for a three point play cutting their deficit down to four. Craig kept the Rangers in front, answering with a three pointer for the 48-41 lead. Northwestern was held scoreless for the next six minutes as Arkansas Monticello went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 48-48 before Camille Thomas ended the run with two points. After Arkansas Monticello answered with a two to tie the game after a missed Lady Rangers' shot the Blossoms drilled a corner three pointer for the 53-50 lead. The basket pushed the Blossoms in front before closing out the 57-52 win over the Lady Rangers.
Northwestern will return to action on Thursday evening at Southern Nazarene before closing the regular season at home on March 1st for senior day.
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